Trump Hotel in Washington Saw Strong Profit in First Four Months of 2017

ThoughtEx. · Aug 11, 2017

Donald Trump’s hotel in Washington, D.C., raised its rates in the months after he became president from what it had planned to charge, helping the facility to outperform the company’s expectations, new financial documents show.

The Trump International Hotel, in the opulently renovated Old Post Office near the National Mall, brought in about $18 million in revenue in the first four months of 2017, in part by charging room rates that were higher than their budgeted prices by around 60%, according to documents viewed by The Wall Street Journal.

From January to April, the average daily room rate was $660.28 compared with $495.91 for comparable hotels, according to the documents. The hotel had projected its average daily rate would be $416.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-...first-four-months-of-2017-1502424589?mod=e2tw

So instead of divesting himself the proper way, he ups the prices and uses his position to profit. He should have sold his businesses off or at the very least put them in a blind trust. Merely "stepping back" from management and leaving it in the hands of his children is not divesting anything.

So let's hear it, what makes Trump so special that he gets away with something like this? Why are we not holding him to the same standards we've held every other wealthy President?

And save the Hillary bull****, nobody gives two ****s about Hillary. We all know what some of you are about to reply with, let me preemptively say nobody cares about Hillary. Whatever bull**** she's done doesn't make it ok for Trump to get away with anything and everything under the sun.

PeteEU · Aug 11, 2017

It is worse than that... it is bribery pure and simple. The reason that the hotel is so profitable is that everyone who wants to influence the Trump administration uses it to please the dear leader.

AliHajiSheik · Aug 11, 2017

ThoughtEx. said:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-...first-four-months-of-2017-1502424589?mod=e2tw

So instead of divesting himself the proper way, he ups the prices and uses his position to profit. He should have sold his businesses off or at the very least put them in a blind trust. Merely "stepping back" from management and leaving it in the hands of his children is not divesting anything.

So let's hear it, what makes Trump so special that he gets away with something like this? Why are we not holding him to the same standards we've held every other wealthy President?

And save the Hillary bull****, nobody gives two ****s about Hillary. We all know what some of you are about to reply with, let me preemptively say nobody cares about Hillary. Whatever bull**** she's done doesn't make it ok for Trump to get away with anything and everything under the sun.

The government should immediately stop paying $660/night for a hotel room, that is just way too much.

Skeptic Bob · Aug 11, 2017

I honestly don't think a blind trust would work given the nature of Trump's businesses.

joG · Aug 11, 2017

PeteEU said:
It is worse than that... it is bribery pure and simple. The reason that the hotel is so profitable is that everyone who wants to influence the Trump administration uses it to please the dear leader.

You reckon? Then you might want to go live there.
But honestly. It's probably only people wanting to be able to say that they stayed at the President's hotel. You know, like you used to stay in the Beverley Wiltshire because of Pretty Woman or eating at the Ritz because of Lady Di's last dinner?

joG · Aug 11, 2017

Skeptic Bob said:
I honestly don't think a blind trust would work given the nature of Trump's businesses.

....and its size. It's a dilemma, mind. But do we really want to exclude the rich from politics.

joG · Aug 11, 2017

AliHajiSheik said:
The government should immediately stop paying $660/night for a hotel room, that is just way too much.

I agree that government employees should not have that type of hotel allowance.

holbritter · Aug 11, 2017

ThoughtEx. said:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-...first-four-months-of-2017-1502424589?mod=e2tw

So instead of divesting himself the proper way, he ups the prices and uses his position to profit. He should have sold his businesses off or at the very least put them in a blind trust. Merely "stepping back" from management and leaving it in the hands of his children is not divesting anything.

So let's hear it, what makes Trump so special that he gets away with something like this? Why are we not holding him to the same standards we've held every other wealthy President?

And save the Hillary bull****, nobody gives two ****s about Hillary. We all know what some of you are about to reply with, let me preemptively say nobody cares about Hillary. Whatever bull**** she's done doesn't make it ok for Trump to get away with anything and everything under the sun.

I get the whole conflict of interest thing. But if a President sells everything, then after their term they have nothing to go back to? Talking about ANY president, not just Trump.

PeteEU · Aug 11, 2017

joG said:
You reckon? Then you might want to go live there.
But honestly. It's probably only people wanting to be able to say that they stayed at the President's hotel. You know, like you used to stay in the Beverley Wiltshire because of Pretty Woman or eating at the Ritz because of Lady Di's last dinner?

Horse ****.. Kuwait moved their annual independence day celebration to the Trump hotel as soon as he got elected. Diplomats regularly stay at this overpriced hotel, especially Russian diplomats btw.

ThoughtEx. · Aug 11, 2017

holbritter said:
I get the whole conflict of interest thing. But if a President sells everything, then after their term they have nothing to go back to? Talking about ANY president, not just Trump.

A blind trust is a legal entity that completely separates him from even knowing what his business is doing or who is managing it day to day. It doesn't remove ownership, and control can be returned. It's a standard thing that just about every elected official from a district attorney to a President has to do if they have significant assets that could become a conflict of interest.

Because his name is on alot of properties, a blind trust would never fully insure that he has no conflict. But it's a good start, it's at least an effort at avoiding looking like a crook.

ThoughtEx. · Aug 11, 2017

Skeptic Bob said:
I honestly don't think a blind trust would work given the nature of Trump's businesses.

Not impossible to change the names on everything while everything's held in the blind trust. Heck, it might be a wise business move anyway.

PeteEU · Aug 11, 2017

holbritter said:
I get the whole conflict of interest thing. But if a President sells everything, then after their term they have nothing to go back to? Talking about ANY president, not just Trump.

They have a **** load of money if they sell everything... or they could just put it in a blind trust.. a real one, that runs its affairs with zero input from him and his family during the duration of his office.

haymarket · Aug 11, 2017

ThoughtEx. said:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-...first-four-months-of-2017-1502424589?mod=e2tw

So instead of divesting himself the proper way, he ups the prices and uses his position to profit. He should have sold his businesses off or at the very least put them in a blind trust. Merely "stepping back" from management and leaving it in the hands of his children is not divesting anything.

So let's hear it, what makes Trump so special that he gets away with something like this? Why are we not holding him to the same standards we've held every other wealthy President?

And save the Hillary bull****, nobody gives two ****s about Hillary. We all know what some of you are about to reply with, let me preemptively say nobody cares about Hillary. Whatever bull**** she's done doesn't make it ok for Trump to get away with anything and everything under the sun.

Trump is a whore with various body parts open for business and the GOP in Congress are happy to stand by and refer potential customers for services. That is the essential problem.

fmw · Aug 11, 2017

ThoughtEx. said:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-...first-four-months-of-2017-1502424589?mod=e2tw

So instead of divesting himself the proper way, he ups the prices and uses his position to profit. He should have sold his businesses off or at the very least put them in a blind trust. Merely "stepping back" from management and leaving it in the hands of his children is not divesting anything.

So let's hear it, what makes Trump so special that he gets away with something like this? Why are we not holding him to the same standards we've held every other wealthy President?

And save the Hillary bull****, nobody gives two ****s about Hillary. We all know what some of you are about to reply with, let me preemptively say nobody cares about Hillary. Whatever bull**** she's done doesn't make it ok for Trump to get away with anything and everything under the sun.

Perhaps you can show us a law that bars the president from owning business assets. I see no reason why he should have to give up his wealth to serve as president. Perhaps you think a poor person would make a better president. If so then you need to find one for which you wish to vote.

fmw · Aug 11, 2017

PeteEU said:
They have a **** load of money if they sell everything... or they could just put it in a blind trust.. a real one, that runs its affairs with zero input from him and his family during the duration of his office.

I can assure you that if it were your company, you wouldn't want it managed by a disinterested committee.

j-mac · Aug 11, 2017

Maduro was a bus driver. How's that workin' out for Venezuela?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

joG · Aug 11, 2017

PeteEU said:
Horse ****.. Kuwait moved their annual independence day celebration to the Trump hotel as soon as he got elected. Diplomats regularly stay at this overpriced hotel, especially Russian diplomats btw.

Russia, at least, doesn't seem to have gotten much bang for their buck, have they.

MTAtech · Aug 11, 2017

PeteEU said:
It is worse than that... it is bribery pure and simple. The reason that the hotel is so profitable is that everyone who wants to influence the Trump administration uses it to please the dear leader.

It's even worse than that, worse than that. The lease clearly states that no u.s. govt officials or employees can be the leasee. Since foreign governments are renting space it's a clear violation of the emoluments clause, that is supposed to prevent officials from influence from foreign countries.

MTAtech · Aug 11, 2017

joG said:
Russia, at least, doesn't seem to have gotten much bang for their buck, have they.

Really, while #45 will criticize every ally and Mitch McConnell but never miss an opportunity to suck up to Putin. 'Oh, those 575 diplomats you expelled, thanks Vladimir.'

Taylor · Aug 11, 2017

PeteEU said:
It is worse than that... it is bribery pure and simple. The reason that the hotel is so profitable is that everyone who wants to influence the Trump administration uses it to please the dear leader.

Whereas you needed millions to bribe the Clintons, with Trump it takes only $600 and you get a night in a 5-star hotel to boot. After the last eight years, it's refreshing to see a President who will truly engage with "the little people."

Fletch · Aug 11, 2017

PeteEU said:
It is worse than that... it is bribery pure and simple. The reason that the hotel is so profitable is that everyone who wants to influence the Trump administration uses it to please the dear leader.

Like who? Please put a name to your baseless smears and provide what evidence it is you have to declare that bribery has occurred.

Fletch · Aug 11, 2017

MTAtech said:
It's even worse than that, worse than that. The lease clearly states that no u.s. govt officials or employees can be the leasee. Since foreign governments are renting space it's a clear violation of the emoluments clause, that is supposed to prevent officials from influence from foreign countries.

Just curious, did you have the same concerns with regards to the Clinton Foundation? Or did you have zero intellectual curiosity simply because they were democrats?

jmotivator · Aug 11, 2017

ThoughtEx. said:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-...first-four-months-of-2017-1502424589?mod=e2tw

So instead of divesting himself the proper way, he ups the prices and uses his position to profit. He should have sold his businesses off or at the very least put them in a blind trust. Merely "stepping back" from management and leaving it in the hands of his children is not divesting anything.

So let's hear it, what makes Trump so special that he gets away with something like this? Why are we not holding him to the same standards we've held every other wealthy President?

And save the Hillary bull****, nobody gives two ****s about Hillary. We all know what some of you are about to reply with, let me preemptively say nobody cares about Hillary. Whatever bull**** she's done doesn't make it ok for Trump to get away with anything and everything under the sun.

And so you base your whole screed on redefining "divest" to suit a narrative. Sounds familiar....

PeteEU · Aug 11, 2017

Fletch said:
Like who? Please put a name to your baseless smears and provide what evidence it is you have to declare that bribery has occurred.

Come on, stop being so freaking naive. The expectation of any government renting into Trump properties, is that they will gain favour with the commander in chief. Since there is money being exchanged, and A LOT of it, then that is de facto bribery.

PeteEU · Aug 11, 2017

Taylor said:
Whereas you needed millions to bribe the Clintons, with Trump it takes only $600 and you get a night in a 5-star hotel to boot. After the last eight years, it's refreshing to see a President who will truly engage with "the little people."

Eh? What does the Clintons have to do with this? You right wingers really have a hardon for the Clintons.. it aint healthy..

Trump Hotel in Washington Saw Strong Profit in First Four Months of 2017

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